Living Quran

Surah At-Tariq (The Nightcommer)

At-Tariq means "The Nightcomer" — a bright star that appears by night, named in the surah's opening oath.

At-Tariq is the 86th chapter of the Quran, a short Meccan surah of 17 ayat. Its name comes from an opening oath sworn by the sky and by "the nightcomer," a piercing, brightly shining star that appears in the darkness. The surah affirms that every soul has a watcher set over it, then invites reflection on human origins — that a person is created from a fluid emerging from the body — as evidence of God's power to bring the dead back to life. It points to a Day when hidden things and inner secrets will be tested and laid bare, when a person will have no power or helper. Swearing by the cycles of the sky and the earth, it presents the Quran as a decisive, weighty word and not idle speech, and counsels the Prophet to bear patiently with the deniers. Its subject matter is divine oversight, resurrection, and the seriousness of the revelation.
Surah number
86
Revelation
Meccan
Ayahs
17
Arabic
الطارق

Read Surah At-Tariq online — full Arabic text with the Pickthall English translation.

Main themes

  • Every soul has a guardian over it
  • Reflection on human creation and origins
  • God's power to resurrect the dead
  • The Day when hidden secrets are tested
  • The Quran as a decisive, serious word
  • Patience in the face of denial

Why this surah matters

At-Tariq is admired as a concise Meccan chapter that draws a direct line from the wonder of human creation to the certainty of resurrection. Its opening imagery of the piercing night star and its closing affirmation of the Quran as a decisive word are frequently cited. The surah's compact structure and rhythm make it a widely memorized chapter, often recited in prayer by many Muslims.

Frequently asked questions

What is At-Tariq (the nightcomer)?

The surah's opening oath swears by a bright star that appears at night, described as piercing or knocking. Commentators generally understand it as a brilliant star visible in darkness; the exact identification is discussed but not central to the message.

What is the main argument of the surah?

It reasons from human creation — that a person is made from an emerging fluid — to God's power to resurrect, then warns of a Day when hidden secrets are exposed and affirms the Quran as a decisive word.

Is At-Tariq commonly recited in prayer?

Yes. As a short, rhythmic Meccan chapter, it is widely memorized and many Muslims recite it in daily prayers, though no specific obligation attaches to it.

Read Surah At-Tariq

Read Surah At-Tariq with the Pickthall translation and ask Noor about any ayah — ad-free and neutral across all five schools.

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